Saturation diver dodges speeding fine

A commercial diver charged with a speeding offence failed to turn up at court because he was ‘under the sea somewhere.’

a watertight excuse

It was the eighth time 34-year old Andrew Ross of Ullapool in Scotland hadn’t shown up. He was scheduled to appear charged with driving at 117mph on the A9.

Presiding judge Sheriff Andrew Berry was unimpressed by the latest no-show and asked where Mr Ross was. But it seems he had a watertight (haha) excuse.

The defendant’s solicitor explained that his client spent long periods under the sea due to work as a commercial saturation diver. For this reason he probably was unaware of the court summons, not to mention being unable to attend court.

The Sheriff has set a new trial date of March 16th, but recommended a preliminary hearing be held a few days before next time “to establish if Mr Ross is back on dry land.”

He also asked requested Mr Ross brings his employment records to verify the claim.

Saturation divers spend days or weeks below the surface at a time. A pressurised chamber with basic living amenities is lowered into the water.

Once at depth, divers emerge to do physical work for long periods without the need for repeated decompressions on the surface.